New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I

BTW, he is leaving for Fiji tomorrow - as he is getting married. Wishing Scotty a very happy time out there.

Scott Styris is the MoM: Wasn't too bad, this wicket suited me. Not too different from most of the wickets in the Caribbean.

Daniel Vettori: Not much of a total, but we bowled well on a difficult wicket. Terrific start from Kyle Mills. We bowl well on these wickets, and the big boundary helped us too, you can't just hit a couple of sixes any time.

Kumar Sangakkara: They got a great start, they pushed us back in the first six overs, and New Zealand were a bit more disciplined than us, both with the bat and in the field.

In the end the slowness of the wicket ensured that NZ won this historic first ever international Cricket game played in the USA. Stroke-making was a pain as none of the batsmen could time the ball properly. That only a couple of sixes and a handful of boundaries were scored substantiates my above analysis further. Apart from the minor irritant of a slow pitch it has truly been a momentous occasion for the fans of US to have witnessed this game. On that happy note, I sign off. Hope to see you soon.

McKay to Mendis, out Bowled!! End of the 1st ever International game in the US! full, fast delivery on off, Mendis swung with his eyes closed and the off stump takes a beating! NZ win by 29 runs! Mendis b McKay 2(5)

19.2 McKay to Jayasinghe, no run, bowled, but it does not count, as it is a free hit

19.2 McKay to Mendis, no ball, 1 run, now McKay oversteps, Mendis has slashed it down to third man's throat, it is taken, everyone think it is game over - but a free hit now comes up

19.1 McKay to Jayasinghe, 1 run, Jayasinghe makes room and slaps it square of the wicket

18.6 Southee to Jayasinghe, 1 run, Jayasinghe makes room and chips it to long on, retains the strike with that run

18.5 Southee to Mendis, 1 run, turns it to square leg

18.4 Southee to Mendis, no run, slower delivery on off, Mendis eases it to cover, straight to the fielder

18.3 Southee to Mendis, no run, runs it down to short third man

18.2 Southee to Jayasinghe, 1 run, pulls it to deep square leg

Ajantha Mendis, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Southee to Jayasinghe, out Malinga Run Out!! And now this! after all the drama, a run-out of a deflection! Jayasinghe drilled that back at Southee, he got his shin in the way and it deflected back on to the stumps as Malinga was backing up too far, sad way for Malinga's innings to end Malinga run out (Southee) 0(2)

18.1 Southee to Jayasinghe, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!

Tim Southee [2.0-0-7-0] is back into the attack

17.6 McKay to Malinga, no run, Malinga backs away, cannot do much but play it back to McKay

17.5 McKay to Malinga, no run, short of length delivery on the ribs, Malinga defends it awkwardly

Lasith Malinga, right handed bat, comes to the crease

McKay to Randiv, out Caught by Brendon McCullum!! this time he is gone! comes down the track, swings, a thin outside edge is well held by Baz moving to his right Randiv c Brendon McCullum b McKay 6(4) [4s-1]

17.4 McKay to Randiv, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

17.3 McKay to Randiv, FOUR!!, Ah cheeky! went for the scoop over the keeper, but gets a leading edge over short third, raced away down to third man, SL need more of those

16.6 Mills to Randiv, no run, slower delivery on the stumps, Randiv jams it back to Mills

Suraj Randiv, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Mills to Kulasekara, out Kulasekara Run Out!! Super work from Baz! Kulasekara hit it to Styris at point, straight to the fielder, he threw it on the bounce, Baz did well to whip the bails off as he evaded the stumps in one motion, Kulasekara was trying to get back, was just caught short! Kulasekara run out (Styris/Brendon McCullum) 6(7) [4s-1]

16.1 Mills to Kulasekara, FOUR!!, Much needed! short and wide outside off, Kulasekara slashes hard, flies wide of short third, raced down to third man

Kyle Mills [3.0-0-11-2] is back into the attack

15.6 Vettori to Jayasinghe, no run, flatter one on off, Jayasinghe defends it back to Vettori

15.5 Vettori to Kulasekara, 1 run, opens the face of the bat and runs it down to short third man

15.4 Vettori to Kulasekara, no run, Kulasekara gets forward and plays it back to the bowler

15.3 Vettori to Kulasekara, no run, that kept really low, beats Kulasekara on the cut

15.2 Vettori to Jayasinghe, 1 run, taps it to cover point

15.1 Vettori to Jayasinghe, no run, fired in to middle, Jayasinghe misses out, rolls of the pad back to Vettori

Daniel Vettori [3.0-0-9-1] is back into the attack

14.6 Styris to Jayasinghe, 1 run, pulls it to deep mid wicket, only a single, Jayasinghe retains the strike with that run

Nuwan Kulasekara, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Styris to Perera, out Caught by Nathan McCullum!! That could be the end of SL! full delivery on off, Perera cleared his front leg, but could only hit it as far as long off, Nathan took it easily Perera c Nathan McCullum b Styris 3(5)

14.5 Styris to Perera, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

14.4 Styris to Jayasinghe, leg byes, 1 run, again swings, but rolls of the pad to short cover

14.3 Styris to Jayasinghe, no run, Styris is just bowling slower deliveries, Jayasinghe tried to hoick it across the line, rapped on the pads, but down the leg side

14.2 Styris to Jayasinghe, no run, good length delivery on the stumps, Jayasinghe plays it back to the bowler

14.1 Styris to Perera, 1 run, looks for the slog to leg, gets a thick outside edge, falls just beyond two men on the off side

13.6 Southee to Perera, 1 run, slower delivery on off, Perera hammers a cut to deep extra cover, only a single

13.5 Southee to Perera, no run, Perera shows the full face of the bat and drives it to mid off

13.4 Southee to Jayasinghe, 1 run, Jayasinghe gets a bottom edge down to short fine leg

13.3 Southee to Perera, 1 run, pushes it to cover, quick single taken

13.2 Southee to Jayasinghe, 1 run, turns it to short mid wicket, easy single

13.1 Southee to Jayasinghe, no run, Jayasinghe got a thin inside edge onto the pads as the ball rolled away on the off side, Perera was way down, the fielder took the bails off with his hand, so Perera survives

Perera could be out here, third ump called for a run-out

Tim Southee [1.0-0-2-0] is back into the attack

12.6 Styris to Jayasinghe, leg byes, 1 run, turns it to square leg, off the pad, a leg bye

12.5 Styris to Jayasinghe, no run, no hat-trick for Styris! a seam up delivery and Jayasinghe punches it back to Styris

Thissara Perera, left handed bat, comes to the crease

Styris to Kapugedera, out Caught by Redmond!! Good running catch from Redmond! it was the slower one, that stopped on Kapugedera, who anyway went for the pull, Redmond ran a few paces to his right at deep mid, pulled off a well judged catch! Styris is on a hat-trick! Kapugedera c Redmond b Styris 7(11)

12.4 Styris to Kapugedera, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Chinthaka Jayasinghe, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Styris to Mathews, out Caught by (sub)Oram!! Another one bites the dust! Mathews got no timing on that attempted lofted hit, the ball neatly settled in Oram's hands at long on, NZ are right on top now! Mathews c (sub)Oram b Styris 26(31) [4s-1 6s-1]

12.3 Styris to Mathews, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

12.2 Styris to Kapugedera, 1 run, Kapugedera shows the full face of the bat and eases it to long on

12.1 Styris to Kapugedera, 2 runs, on the middle and leg, gently glanced away to fine leg for a well run couple

11.6 Vettori to Mathews, no run, Mathews defends it off the frontfoot towards cover, straight to the fielder

10.6 Styris to Kapugedera, 1 run, swung away with no power to long on, Kapugedera retains the strike with that run

10.5 Styris to Mathews, 1 run, punched off the backfoot to long on

10.4 Styris to Mathews, 2 runs, punches it straight down the ground for a couple

10.3 Styris to Kapugedera, leg byes, 1 run, rolls of the pad to short fine leg, Baz keeps it to a single

10.2 Styris to Kapugedera, no run, good length delivery on the stumps, Kapugedera defends it to short cover

10.1 Styris to Mathews, 1 run, full delivery on middle, Mathews pushes it to long on

Scott Styris, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

9.6 Vettori to Mathews, 1 run, placed wide of cover point

9.5 Vettori to Mathews, no run, flighted delivery on the stumps, Mathews is content to defend

9.4 Vettori to Kapugedera, 1 run, cut away to sweeper cover, to get off the mark

Styris took the catch at deep square

Chamara Kapugedera, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Vettori to Sangakkara, out Caught by Styris!! You cant pick a fielder better! it was a long hop, Sangakkara rocked back and found Styris with a pull, who did not have to move an inch, a nothing delivery gets a big wicket Sangakkara c Styris b Vettori 17(25) [4s-1]

9.3 Vettori to Sangakkara, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

9.2 Vettori to Mathews, 1 run, pushes it to short cover, takes a quick single

9.1 Vettori to Mathews, no run, Mathews gets forward and defends it well

8.6 Nathan McCullum to Mathews, 1 run, turns it to square leg, retains the strike with that run

8.5 Nathan McCullum to Mathews, 2 runs, whipped to wide long on for a couple

8.2 Nathan McCullum to Mathews, SIX!!, This man can bat! again skips down and lofts it beautifully over deep mid wicket, the 1st six of the SL innings, fabulous hit from Mathews as the ball sailed all the way

8.2 Nathan McCullum to Mathews, wide

8.1 Nathan McCullum to Mathews, FOUR!!, finally Mathews breaks the shackles! comes down the track and heaves it to deep mid wicket, wide of long on, well executed by Mathews

7.6 Vettori to Sangakkara, no run, turns it to short mid wicket

7.5 Vettori to Mathews, 1 run, Mathews shows the full face of the bat and eases it to long off

7.4 Vettori to Mathews, no run, Mathews opens the face of the bat and guides it to short third, wanted the single, sent back by Sangakkara

7.3 Vettori to Sangakkara, 1 run, Sangakkara comes down the track and chips it airily to mid wicket

7.2 Vettori to Mathews, 1 run, pushes it to sweeper cover

7.1 Vettori to Mathews, no run, taps it awkwardly to cover, straight to the fielder

Daniel Vettori, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

6.6 Nathan McCullum to Mathews, 1 run, nudges it to short mid wicket, Mathews wanted the 2nd, but not there

6.5 Nathan McCullum to Sangakkara, 1 run, punches it to sweeper cover

6.4 Nathan McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, Sangakkara comes down the track, gets a leading edge, falls well short of Nathan McCullum

5.5 Southee to Sangakkara, 1 run, low full toss on the stumps, Sangakkara digs it to extra cover

5.4 Southee to Sangakkara, no run, again, but with more timing, but straight to the fielder

5.3 Southee to Sangakkara, no run, Sangakkara makes room to hit it, mistimes it to cover

5.2 Southee to Mathews, leg byes, 1 run, full delivery on the middle and leg, Mathews misses out, rolls of the pad to short fine leg

5.2 Southee to Mathews, wide, down the leg side

5.1 Southee to Mathews, no run, this one again keeps low, Mathews crouches low and blocks it solidly

Tim Southee, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

4.6 Mills to Mathews, 1 run, turns it to short mid wicket, to get off the mark

4.5 Mills to Mathews, no run, punched off the backfoot to cover point

4.4 Mills to Mathews, no run, slower delivery, grips on Mathews, he defends it well

4.3 Mills to Mathews, no run, almost another one! Mathews nearly dragged that back on, close to the leg stump

4.2 Mills to Mathews, no run, full delivery on off, Mathews pushes it to mid on, straight to the fielder

Angelo Mathews, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Mills to Dilshan, out Bowled!! the slowness of the wicket has got Dilshan there, a slower one, Dilshan swung too early as many had done earlier, the ball took the inside edge and cannoned back on to the stumps Dilshan b Mills 6(7) [4s-1]

4.1 Mills to Dilshan, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

3.6 McKay to Sangakkara, no run, clipped to short mid, Sangakkara cant seem to find the gap at all this over

3.5 McKay to Sangakkara, no run, slower delivery on off, Sangakkara gets forward and eases it to cover

3.4 McKay to Sangakkara, no run, again Sangakkara dances down, swings widly does not connect at all

3.3 McKay to Sangakkara, no run, Sangakkara comes down the track and absolutely drills it back to McKay, who cops one on his follow-through

3.2 McKay to Sangakkara, no run, back of a length on off, Sangakkara on one knee, slaps it straight to the fielder at backward point

3.1 McKay to Dilshan, 1 run, nudges it to square leg, softly done

2.6 Mills to Sangakkara, no run, slower delivery, Sangakkara pats it on the pitch, wants the run, Dilshan is not interested

2.5 Mills to Dilshan, 1 run, turns it to square leg, easy single

2.4 Mills to Dilshan, no run, mistimed backfoot punch on the off side

2.3 Mills to Sangakkara, 3 runs, again top class touch play from Sangakkara, waits for it and angles the length ball down to third man, again threaded the gap between a ring of fielders on the off side

2.2 Mills to Sangakkara, no run, this time finds cover with a well timed drive

2.1 Mills to Sangakkara, 2 runs, lovely tap shot from Sangakkara, all wrist work, placed wide of point for a couple

1.6 McKay to Dilshan, no run, good length on the stumps, Dilshan defends it towards backward point, straight to the fielder

1.5 McKay to Dilshan, no run, McKay comes back well with a slower delivery, kept low and beats Dilshan on the pull

1.4 McKay to Dilshan, FOUR!!, fabulous shot! Dilshan rocks back and smashes a pull to deep square leg, scooted away to the fence, it was a short delivery and Dilshan got hold of that well

1.3 McKay to Sangakkara, 1 run, steered it to backward point, Nathan fumbles, a single to square third man

1.2 McKay to Sangakkara, no run, back of a length on off, Sangakkara taps it on the off side

1.1 McKay to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, that is a magnificent shot! full delivery on off, Sangakkara shows the full face of the bat and creamed it straight down the ground, raced away on this slow outfield, Dan gives up the chase

Andy McKay, comes into the attack

0.6 Mills to Sangakkara, 1 run, Sangakkara walks down the wicket, turns it to short mid wicket, retains the strike with that run

0.5 Mills to Sangakkara, 2 runs, sloppy backing up from the man at mid wicket, Sangakkara walks down, taps it to extra cover, Oram has a shy, ends up giving away an extra run

0.4 Mills to Sangakkara, no run, a nice looking square drive, but finds cover point this time

0.3 Mills to Sangakkara, no run, pitched up on off, Sangakkara gets forward and eases it to cover, straight to the fielder

Kumar Sangakkara, left handed bat, comes to the crease

Mills to Jayawardene, out Caught by Brendon McCullum!! There comes the early wicket! landed on a good length, seamed away as well, the extra boundce did the trick, Jayawardene played a nothing shot, trying to steer it down, got a thin nick, Baz accepted it gleefully! Jayawardene c Brendon McCullum b Mills 0(2)

Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan are at the crease. Mahela Jayawardene is on strike. Kyle Mills will open the attack

A decent effort from NZ on a slow, slow wicket. Will be an interesting chase. Hang on for the Lankan reply.

19.6 Malinga to Vettori, 2 runs, Vettori swings one away to deep mid wicket, falls in no man's land for a well run couple

19.5 Malinga to Mills, 1 run, a low yorker, Mills makes room and chips it to short cover

19.5 Malinga to Vettori, 2 wides, way outside off, Sanga fumbles as well

19.4 Malinga to Mills, 1 run, flicks it to mid wicket, a direct hit would have sent Mills back

19.3 Malinga to Vettori, 1 run, slower delivery outside off, Vettori opens the face of the bat and angles it down to third man

Kyle Mills, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Malinga to Nathan McCullum, out Caught by Jayawardene!! a short of length delivery, Nathan McCullum pulled it of the frontfoot, but picked out Mahela at deep square, straight to the fielder Nathan McCullum c Jayawardene b Malinga 10(12)

19.2 Malinga to Nathan McCullum, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

19.1 Malinga to Nathan McCullum, no run, short, wide outside off, Nathan McCullum lets it go thinking it is a wide, but no where close to it, left alone in the end

18.6 Kulasekara to Nathan McCullum, 1 run, pitched up on off, smashed to long off, straight to the fielder

18.5 Kulasekara to Nathan McCullum, 2 runs, Nathan McCullum again crunches it to long off, Vettori hares back for the 2nd, it was placed well wide of the man

18.4 Kulasekara to Nathan McCullum, 2 runs, Nathan McCullum smeared that on the up, it went in the air to extra cover, the man, I reckon it is Jayasinghe, got both hands, but could not hold on, catch dropped!!

18.3 Kulasekara to Nathan McCullum, no run, good bowling, speared in on the middle and leg, Nathan McCullum swings and misses, the ball misses the leg stump

18.2 Kulasekara to Vettori, 1 run, full yorker length delivery, following Vettori, he taps it on the off side

18.1 Kulasekara to Nathan McCullum, 1 run, flat bats a slower delivery to long on

Nuwan Kulasekara [2.0-0-15-1] is back into the attack

17.6 Malinga to Vettori, 2 runs, Vettori shuffles across and deftly angles it down to third man, Dilshan fumbles now, allowing the 2nd

15.3 Perera to Vettori, 2 runs, slower delivery on off, Vettori makes room and chips it uppishly to sweeper cover, a fumble from Randiv and they come back for the 2nd

15.2 Perera to Guptill, 1 run, again chopped away to sweeper cover

15.1 Perera to Guptill, 2 runs, fraction short outside off, cut away hard square of the wicket, for a couple

14.6 Mendis to Guptill, 1 run, bunts it to long on, retains the strike with that run

14.5 Mendis to Vettori, 1 run, comes down the track and eases it to long off

14.4 Mendis to Guptill, 1 run, pats it to short mid wicket, wanted the 2nd, again no chance

14.3 Mendis to Vettori, 1 run, a big swing, a thin bottom edge, rolls to short third

14.2 Mendis to Guptill, 1 run, nudges it to square leg

14.1 Mendis to Vettori, 1 run, Vettori comes down the track and chips it to deep mid wicket, wants the 2nd, not there

13.6 Perera to Vettori, 1 run, Vettori shuffles across and flicks it to backward square leg, fine effort from Kula again

13.5 Perera to Guptill, 1 run, taps it to short cover, gets off the mark

Martin Guptill, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Perera to Taylor, out Taylor Run Out!!1 run completed, squeezes the full delivery to third man, little bit of hesitation as he turned for the 2nd, Kula fired in an accurate throw to Sanga and Taylor was well short, poor effort from Taylor, he did not even dive! Taylor run out (Kula) 27(30) [4s-3]

13.4 Perera to Taylor, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!

Taylor this time could be out

13.3 Perera to Taylor, 2 runs, good running! tucked with soft hands to mid wicket, the man is well back and they come back for the 2nd

13.2 Perera to Taylor, no run, turns it to short mid wicket, good fielding keeps it to a dot

13.1 Perera to Vettori, 1 run, another one hits the bottom of the bat and rolls down to long off

13.1 Perera to Vettori, wide, down the leg side

Thissara Perera [2.0-0-9-0] is back into the attack

12.6 Mendis to Vettori, 1 run, sweeps it to deep square leg, to get off the mark

Daniel Vettori, left handed bat, comes to the crease

Mendis to Styris, out Bowled!! the googly does him in! an ugly swipe across the line, swinging too early, Styris had made room as well, the ball took out his leg stump! Styris b Mendis 10(12)

12.2 Mendis to Styris, 2 runs, Styris again charged down, got a toe end to backward square leg, an overthrow gets him back on strike again

12.1 Mendis to Styris, 2 runs, Styris comes down the track and miscues the lofted hit between extra cover and long off, for a couple

11.6 Malinga to Taylor, FOUR!!, a misfield at short cover and it raced away to deep extra cover, Taylor gets forward and thumps that on the up, hit well and it scooted away once there was a fumble inside the circle

11.5 Malinga to Taylor, no run, there comes the Malinga yorker, Taylor does well to squeeze it back to Malinga

11.4 Malinga to Styris, 1 run, another length ball on middle, Styris tucks it well to mid wicket

9.6 Perera to Styris, no run, back of a length on off, Styris strokes it straight to the fielder at backward point

9.5 Perera to Taylor, 1 run, pitched up on off, Taylor shows the full face of the bat and eases it to long off

9.4 Perera to Styris, 1 run, Styris pushes it to long on, gets off the mark

9.3 Perera to Styris, no run, uneven bounce! keeps low and beats Styris on the cut

9.2 Perera to Taylor, 1 run, full delivery on off, Taylor gets forward and drives it to long off

9.1 Perera to Taylor, no run, good fielding at short extra cover, pushed to him, he dives to his right and saves it well, cuts off the single

Scott Styris, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Randiv to Nicol, out Bowled!! End of Nicol! it turned in sharply, Nicol was shaping for the cut, but in the end only managed to get a bottom edge back on to his stumps Nicol b Randiv 10(15) [4s-1]

8.6 Randiv to Nicol, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

8.5 Randiv to Taylor, 1 run, turns it to short mid wicket, quick single taken

8.4 Randiv to Taylor, 2 runs, they are targetting Mendis again, cut away to sweeper cover, Mendis is lax and Taylor comes back for the 2nd

8.3 Randiv to Taylor, FOUR!!, Poor effort from Mendis at deep extra cover, gets forward and timed the cover drive well, Mendis put in an awkward effort, put in the slide, but it was all wrong, lets it go

8.2 Randiv to Taylor, no run, flatter one outside off, Taylor is beaten on the cut

8.1 Randiv to Nicol, 1 run, swept to deep square leg

7.6 Perera to Nicol, 1 run, Nicol opens the face of the bat and guides it to cover, retains the strike with that run

7.5 Perera to Nicol, no run, pushed to short extra cover, no run again

7.4 Perera to Nicol, no run, Perera comes back well, bowls a back of a length delivery, Nicol swings and the ball goes over his off stump

7.3 Perera to Nicol, FOUR!!, good shot! comes down the track, picks the slower delivery, lofts it to long off, bounces away to the fence

7.2 Perera to Taylor, 1 run, Taylor punches it square of the wicket

7.1 Perera to Taylor, no run, drives it to cover, straight to the fielder

Thissara Perera, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

6.6 Randiv to Nicol, no run, Nicol is struggling here, misses the sweep again, this time to a ball outside off

6.5 Randiv to Nicol, 2 runs, Nicol opens the face of the bat and runs it down to third man, Mendis slides and keeps it to a couple

6.4 Randiv to Nicol, no run, plays it back to the bowler

6.3 Randiv to Nicol, no run, hits Nicol on the boot as he looks to sweep, but hit well outside the line of off

6.1 Randiv to Nicol, 1 run, tossed up on off, Nicol gets forward and drives it to long on

Suraj Randiv, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

5.6 Malinga to Taylor, no run, a wild heave-ho to a back of a length delivery, that missed everything, Malinga has a wry smile at Taylor

5.5 Malinga to Taylor, no run, edged, but Sanga immediately says it has bounced, Taylor got a thick outside edge, but Sanga is standing too far back

5.5 Malinga to Taylor, wide, misses his radar this time, down the leg side

5.4 Malinga to Taylor, no run, length delivery on off, Taylor pushes it to cover, no run again

5.3 Malinga to Taylor, no run, fabulous bowling! a unique talent he is! spot on yorker again, Taylor is up to it, digs it out

5.2 Malinga to Taylor, no run, low yorker on off, Taylor strokes it to mid off, straight to the fielder

5.1 Malinga to Taylor, no run, The US soil is seeing some action! Nicol was almost out there, Malinga missed the stumps on his follow-through as Nicol looked for a run, direct hit and Nicol was gone

Lasith Malinga, right-arm fast, comes into the attack

4.6 Mathews to Nicol, no run, nips back in from a good length, Nicol is nicely in behind it this time

4.5 Mathews to Nicol, no run, Nicol is getting a lot of inside edges onto the pads, another one as the ball dribbles away to the off side

4.4 Mathews to Taylor, 1 run, Taylor survives! pushed to mid on, Malinga swooped on it and under armed it, but Taylor was just in, sliding his bat in and beating the direct hit

Taylor could be out here, Third ump called for a run-out

4.3 Mathews to Taylor, FOUR!!, a gift that is! a real gift! a full toss down the leg side, Taylor just tickled that to fine leg, raced away, the man was too square and the ball beat him easily

4.2 Mathews to Taylor, no run, a tame tentative forward push to cover, straight to the fielder

Ross Taylor, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Mathews to Redmond, out Caught by Malinga!! Soft dismissal! it was the slower delivery again, gripped the surface, sat up to be hit, Redmond almost Styris like flat batted it to Malinga's lap at mid on, easy catch, SL strike with 2 quick wickets Redmond c Malinga b Mathews 8(10) [4s-1]

4.1 Mathews to Redmond, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

3.6 Kulasekara to Redmond, 1 run, drives it to mid off, a quick single, takes on the man, makes it

3.5 Kulasekara to Nicol, 1 run, whips it to mid on, easy single to get off the mark

3.4 Kulasekara to Nicol, no run, back of a length and nips back in a tad, Nicol gets a thin inside edge onto the pads, that saved him there

Rob Nicol, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Kulasekara to Brendon McCullum, out Caught by Mathews!! That is the end of that! fabulous catch! another slower delivery, Brendon McCullum makes room and tried to go over mid off, just hit it tamely, Angelo dived forward at mid off and scooped the ball inches from the turf, that was dying on him and he dived in front and took a super catch! Brendon McCullum c Mathews b Kulasekara 18(13) [4s-2 6s-1]

3.3 Kulasekara to Brendon McCullum, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

3.2 Kulasekara to Brendon McCullum, SIX!!, stunning hit! the slower delivery and Brendon McCullum just swung it across the line over deep mid wicket, Brendon McCullum is playing a lot of Golf in the US - he used that to good effect there, sailed away over the fence, 1st 6 on US soil

3.1 Kulasekara to Brendon McCullum, FOUR!!, There comes the McScoop! goes outside off and scoops it audaciously over Sanga and down to fine leg, one bounce over the ropes, magnificent shot!

2.6 Mathews to Brendon McCullum, 1 run, swung away across the line with no power to square leg, a single, Brendon McCullum retains the strike

2.5 Mathews to Redmond, 1 run, Redmond opens the face of the bat and cheekily slides it down to short third man

2.4 Mathews to Redmond, no run, pushed off the backfoot to mid on, straight to the fielder

2.3 Mathews to Redmond, no run, a slowish bouncer from Mathews, banged in, Redmond leaves it alone, Sanga collects, Sanga is standing up, the ball did not bounce at all

2.2 Mathews to Redmond, no run, pitched up outside off, Redmond went for the cover drive, beaten, Redmond missed out there

2.1 Mathews to Redmond, FOUR!!, fine shot! it was in the slot, full delivery on off, Redmond bent down and smashed it past mid off, raced away to long off

1.6 Kulasekara to Brendon McCullum, no run, Everything is happening here! Brendon McCullum goes for the sweep, misses, rapped on the pads, but the ump again shakes his head, a chance was there for a run-out as well, but Brendon McCullum somehow survives as the ball misses the stumps

1.5 Kulasekara to Brendon McCullum, no run, Brendon McCullum has no option but to defend a full delivery back to Kulasekara

1.4 Kulasekara to Brendon McCullum, no run, loud shout for LBW, nips back in from outside off, Brendon McCullum is hit on the pad, then got some bat on that, but the ump reckons it was hit outside off

1.3 Kulasekara to Brendon McCullum, no run, Kulasekara keeps it straight on the stumps, kept a little low as well, Brendon McCullum defends it

1.2 Kulasekara to Brendon McCullum, 2 runs, Brendon McCullum shuffles across and tucks it with the swing to backward square leg for an easy couple

1.1 Kulasekara to Redmond, 1 run, some width outside off, Redmond chops it down to third man

Nuwan Kulasekara, right-arm fast medium, will share the new ball

0.6 Mathews to Brendon McCullum, FOUR!!, fab shot! gets forward and smacks it on the rise, leant in to that and arrogantly slapped it square of the wicket, raced away on the quick outfield

0.5 Mathews to Redmond, 1 run, turns it to short mid wicket, wide of the man for a single, he too gets away

0.4 Mathews to Redmond, no run, bang straight on middle, Redmond defends it well, with a dead bat

0.3 Mathews to Brendon McCullum, 1 run, tucks it with the angle to fine leg, gets off the mark

0.2 Mathews to Brendon McCullum, no run, good length delivery, Brendon McCullum shows the full face and punches it to mid on, straight to the fielder

0.1 Mathews to Brendon McCullum, no run, lowish and slowish delivery outside off, Brendon McCullum taps it softly on the off side

Brendon McCullum and Aaron Redmond are at the crease. Brendon McCullum is on strike. Angelo Mathews will open the attack

Pitch report: Sunny Gavaskar says that the outfield looks good and the track too should be fine he reckons. The team that bowls second will benefit as the pitch may turn out to be low and slow.

Both the captains feel that it is a pioneering effort on their part to play in the US. They also feel that the pitch will not deteriorate too much.

New Zealand have won the toss and elected to bat

Hello and a big shout out to one and all. This is a historic occasion as the first game on US soil takes place. Florida is the lucky venue as both NZ and SL face off in the 1st game of the 2 match series. The toss and the teams will be up in a while so stay tuned....